Sunak ‘urged’ to speed up’ new anti-strike laws as rail chaos continues…
“Rishi Sunak was on Tuesday night urged to bring forward his promised new anti-strike legislation within weeks as thousands of Britons continued to suffer transport chaos during the day. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister told MPs he would bring in new laws to restrict the right of essential public sector workers to take industrial action. But since then no details have been released about the scope of the new legislation, causing concern on the Conservative backbenches. As the country faces strikes by NHS nurses, ambulance workers and train drivers, there were also claims that union bosses have been plotting a “de facto general strike” in the New Year. That accusation came after the launch of a new loyalty card scheme designed to grow picket line numbers.” – The Daily Telegraph
- Rail bosses are ‘hopeful of positive outcome’ as Lynch ‘softens his stance’ – The Daily Mail
- Strikes chaos ‘to dampen’ New Year’s Eve spirits – The Times
- Border Force staff to stage second round of strikes – The Financial Times
- ‘StrikeMap’ designed to ‘swell numbers’ by offering prizes to activists who attend multiple picket lines – The Daily Mail
- Don’t let the unions hold Britain to ransom – Editorial, The Daily Telegraph
- Ruinous strikes are a game to risible unions – Editorial, The Daily Mail
- Robots are already making strikes and unions redundant – Tim Newark, Daily Express
…as he is also encouraged to ‘make slavery laws harder to exploit’ despite ‘warnings’ it could create more loopholes
“Slavery laws must be strengthened to prevent fraudulent claims, Rishi Sunak has been warned. This comes despite fears from Theresa May that such a move may create more loopholes for criminal gangs. Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-On-Trent, said: ‘The Act itself is being exploited by immigration lawyers so that illegal economic migrants can remain in the UK.’ Proposed changes mean case workers will now have to possess objective evidence of modern slavery, rather than a suspicion. But on Monday Mrs May – who introduced the Act while home secretary – said the changes would ‘create another potential loophole’ for criminal gangs to keep victims, who likely won’t have hard evidence, in slavery.” – The Daily Mail
Gove 1) ‘Cabinet row’ between the Levelling-Up Secretary and Braverman holds up publication of Prevent counterterrorism review
“A long-awaited overhaul of the government’s counter-extremism programme has been delayed because of a cabinet row between Suella Braverman and Michael Gove, The Times has learnt. Braverman, the home secretary, is ready to publish the independent review of the Prevent programme and accept all its recommendations, according to government sources said, but Gove, who holds the brief for levelling up, housing and communities, has objections about the way it is being presented. William Shawcross, the author of the review, is said to be “increasingly frustrated and annoyed” that it has taken so long to publish…The report is expected to criticise several organisations and highlight how some Prevent-funded groups have promoted extremist narratives.” – The Times
- The report on how the safeguarding scheme can be improved to stop the radicalisation of young Muslims is overdue and must be published in full, despite the Cabinet row – The Times
Gove 2) He signs off on ‘historic’ £1.4 billion devolution deal for a directly elected mayor for the North East
“The North East of England is set to become the latest region to have a directly elected mayor, as the Government announced a new £1.4 billion devolution deal for the region. Hailed as a “significant step” by local politicians, Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, said that a new devolution deal would bring fresh powers over skills, transport and housing to people across Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and elsewhere. The devolution plan would see the introduction of a new directly elected mayor, with proposals for elections to take place in May 2024 following a consultation process. This latest deal to be agreed by the Government would deliver £1.4 billion over the next 30 years, with fresh powers over the adult education budget…” – The Daily Telegraph
Mercer: Military champions ‘could be deployed’ to help veterans adjust to civilian life
“Military champions could be deployed across the UK to help veterans adjust to life on Civvy Street. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer says new laws would ensure our heroes get the vital support they need and end a postcode lottery of care. The Plymouth MP told The Sun: “In some areas of the country, you will see exceptional care and in some areas you won’t — we need to try and normalise that. One way of doing that might be legislating. There are very small but clear changes to ensure all of the progress we’ve made is not lost if I get hit by a bus tomorrow.” Mr Mercer, who served three tours of Afghanistan in a 12-year Army career, said it’s his own experiences which drives him to make Britain the best place to be a veteran.” – The Sun
May ‘backs Holyrood’ against Westminster gender bill interference
“Theresa May has triggered a split with the Scottish Conservatives by saying that the UK government is wrong to oppose Holyrood laws making it easier for people to change their gender. The former prime minister broke ranks with fellow Conservatives by offering her support for the legislation passed by Holyrood last week, which simplifies the process for trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate without medical diagnosis. Immediately after MSPs voted by 86-39 in favour of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary, threatened to invoke section 35 of the Scotland Act, which allows him to prevent the legislation from receiving royal assent. “ – The Times
Rees-Mogg ‘considers running to be next Tory leader’ and ‘could make a bid’ if they lose the next election
“Jacob Rees-Mogg is reportedly weighing up a bid to run for the Tory party leadership should Rishi Sunak tank the next general election. The former Business Secretary, 53, is understood to be tempted by the prospect of becoming the standard-bearer of the right-wing of the party should they endure a battering at the polling booths. Current polling estimates have the Conservatives trailing Labour by up to 20 points, with a general election looming as soon as January 2025. The-then Brexit Opportunities minister is also said to have considered putting his name among the runners and riders after his close ally and ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson stepped down in the summer. Mr Rees-Mogg is said to have been tempted to run for leader after Mr Johnson…” – The Daily Mail
Gullis and Patel ‘call on’ Hunt to ‘appoint PumpWatch regulator’ to end ‘rip-off petrol prices’
“Jeremy must end years of rip-off petrol prices and finally appoint a PumpWatch regulator in 2023, MPs say. The Chancellor was urged to take steps to force retailers “to ensure motorists are not exploited any longer”. The call came from a group of 30 leading Tory MPs, including ex-Home Secretary Priti Patel. In a letter coordinated by Tory MP Jonathan Gullis, they say that between October 10 and December 8, petrol prices fell just three per cent, despite wholesale costs tumbling by 22 per cent. Diesel prices hardly changed as the wholesale cost plunged by 25 per cent. Tories and campaigners such as FairFuel, founded by Howard Cox and part of our Keep It Down drive, say prices should be at least 10p a litre lower.” – The Sun
- ‘We’re in danger’: MPs fear losing key ‘Red Wall’ seats – The Financial Times
- ‘Tens of thousands’ of families could be hit by an effective tax rate of up to 96 per cent next year, the Resolution Foundation says – The Daily Mail
Hoyle: Brexit and three Prime Ministers a ‘disaster’ that ‘tested respect for democracy’
“People’s respect for democracy has struggled in the aftermath of Brexit and throughout a year of political turmoil in which the UK was governed by three prime ministers, Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, has said. [He said he] had “never seen anything like it before” with the “disaster” of three prime ministers within three months. He said parliament had shown itself at its best in 2022 in its response to the death of the queen, which had been “very, very moving”. But people were disappointed with what went on in politics and were left “wondering what was happening to our democracy”. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, he said: “People became very, and were, disgruntled…” – The Guardian
Musk will be President and Britain will re-join the EU, predicts Putin ally
“Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian prime minister and a…Putin ally, has released a series of outlandish predictions for next year, including Elon Musk becoming US president after a civil war and Britain rejoining the EU. “The Fourth Reich will be created, encompassing the territory of Germany and its satellites, ie Poland, the Baltic states, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Kyiv Republic and other outcasts,” Medvedev declared on Twitter, adding that this…“reich” would then go to war with France “Civil war will break out in the US, California and Texas becoming independent states as a result…Elon Musk will win the presidential election in a number of states,” he added…In Europe, in the aftermath of a war between France and the “Fourth Reich”, Britain will rejoin the EU…” – The Times
>Today:
Labour ‘drew up plans to govern’ in case of Johnson snap election
“Labour drew up plans to govern in case of a snap election while Boris Johnson was struggling to thwart a mutiny by his own MPs over summer, party insiders have revealed. The “oven-ready” policies were a mixture of fresh commitments from Keir Starmer and ideas from the era of his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. Sources said it was hoped it would appeal to the broadest base of voters possible and make Labour “the political wing of the British people”. The manifesto was prepared before the conclusion of the Conservative leadership contest, so Labour could be ready once a new prime minister was selected. An insider recalled the previous disappointment in Corbyn’s office as Labour officials hurriedly put ideas together in the lead up to the 2017 election.” – The Guardian
- The party attacks ‘disgraceful’ crime stats with 1 million thefts unsolved last year – The Guardian
- Starmer may be more left-wing than he lets on – Daniel Finkelstein, The Times
- Labour policies are stuck in the student union – Madeline Grant, The Daily Telegraph
- If Starmer doesn’t stand up for women on the trans issue, I’ll never vote Labour again – Julie Bindel, The Daily Mail
- Anti-car Khan is destroying London – Gareth Bacon, The Daily Telegraph
News in Brief:
- How Britain’s economy might bounce back in 2023 – Ross Clark, The Spectator
- Why society still needs the family – Mary Harrington, UnHerd
- Politics is not downstream from culture – Charlie Peters, The Critic
- Beneath the culture wars, we are not nearly so binary – Tomiwa Owolade, The New Statesman
- Why immigration doesn’t reduce wages – Noah Smith, Noahpinion